ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a group of older people who were living in private households, using community care services, and who took part in the first stage of Evaluating Care for Elderly People (ECCEP), in 1995. It outlines their personal characteristics and explores some of the circumstances which gave rise to their need for community care interventions. The chapter discusses the most important need-related characteristics of users obtained from the community sample of ECCEP respondents. These characteristics are grouped together under the following headings: basic characteristics; living environment and finances; functional ability; physical health; mental health; social support; and anxieties and attitudes. Most older people live independent lives, and when they need assistance they rely on their relatives and friends. The health characteristics of users affect their ability to carry out activities of daily living, and can thus influence their need for assistance.
